"This week has been dreadful. I don't think people who read the tabloid newspapers realise the impact that this sort of issue has on the private lives of individuals," he said.

You can't sleep, you can't eat, you're trying to respond to allegations that you're not aware of

Ron Davies AM

"You can't sleep, you can't eat, you're trying to deal with so many media enquiries, you're trying to respond to allegations that you're not aware of.

"I have no doubt that the overwhelming majority of people will say, whatever the tittle tattle, the issue for us is to elect someone who can represent us who is approachable ... and someone that we know will do the job properly."

But the pressure from within his own party is now immense, one senior Labour MP saying: "Enough is enough."

"That's the consensus [at Westminster]. The issue now is that he lied.

"The most important people are his constituency Labour Party. They've suffered enough and deserve someone better".

'Concern'

Another Labour MP said: "I don't see how he can continue and I think that is the consensus among MPs and the local party. He should call it a day.

Caerphilly constituency party chairman Jeff Cuthbert said Mr Davies' apparent change of story was "a matter of concern".

With a Welsh Assembly election just two months away, Mr Davies' political survival career could depend on whether he can win the backing of his constituency colleagues.

But some party members in Bargoed, Rhymney Valley, have already called for his resignation.

History

This is not the first time Mr Davies has found himself the subject of unwelcome tabloid headlines.

In 1998, he resigned from his post as secretary of state for Wales following a "moment of madness" on Clapham Common.

Having been dubbed the "architect of Welsh devolution", he stood down as Welsh secretary the following day.

Shortly afterwards he admitted to being bisexual and had psychiatric treatment for a compulsive disorder which attracted him to high-risk situations.